Description
Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans dessert featuring bananas sautéed in a rich caramel sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum, flambéed for a dramatic finish and served over ice cream for a luscious treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Sauce
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- Pinch of grated fresh nutmeg
- 2 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. banana liqueur (optional)
- 2 tbsp. heavy cream
- 3 tbsp. dark rum
Main Ingredient
- 1 large banana
For Serving
- Ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Bananas: Peel the banana and cut it in half crosswise. Then cut each half lengthwise to create 4 long banana planks, setting them aside for cooking.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the ground cinnamon and fresh nutmeg, cooking and stirring for 10 to 20 seconds until fragrant. Then add the kosher salt and dark brown sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar melts and forms a bubbly caramel, approximately 3 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Slowly stir in pure vanilla extract, banana liqueur if using, and heavy cream to the caramel mixture, blending fully to create a smooth sauce.
- Coat the Bananas: Add the banana planks to the skillet. Gently swirl and shake the pan while using a wooden spoon if necessary to coat the bananas evenly in the caramel sauce.
- Flambé the Mixture: Pour in the dark rum and carefully tilt the pan to ignite the alcohol flames or use a long match or lighter to do so safely. Let the flames burn off while gently shaking the pan to maintain the sauce’s smooth texture; the flames should subside in about 20 seconds.
- Serve: Immediately spoon the bananas and caramel sauce over scoops of your favorite ice cream, enjoying this warm, decadent dessert.
Notes
- Exercise caution when flambéing: always tilt the pan away from you and ensure no flammable materials are nearby.
- You can substitute bourbon for rum if desired.
- Serving Bananas Foster over vanilla ice cream enhances the flavor and provides a creamy contrast to the warm caramel sauce.
- Use fresh bananas for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 96 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg
